ESPN Analyst Kevin Pelton Joins Houston Comets' Front Office

The WNBA world was shaken up over the weekend when the Connecticut Sun announced an agreement to relocate the franchise to Houston, under the ownership of Fertitta Entertainment, Rockets owner Tilman J. Fertitta's company. This agreement plans to relocate the Sun to Houston and bring back the historic Houston Comets name. Pending league approval, the franchise is expected to begin play at Toyota Center for the start of the 2027 WNBA season.

The Sun finished the 2025 season with an 11-33 record, missing the playoffs for the first time in eight years. However, they have a solid young core to build around, including talented players like Saniya Rivers, Aneesah Morrow, Leïla Lacan, and Aaliyah Edwards. They also hold the 12th and 15th picks in the upcoming WNBA draft.

In a strategic move, Kevin Pelton, an ESPN analyst, has been hired for a front office role with the Houston Comets. Pelton will take on the role of assistant general manager and vice president of analytics once the relocation from Connecticut to Houston is completed in time for the 2027 WNBA season. He will work with the Sun's front office this season, including preparing for offseason activity.

The return of the Comets represents the return of one of the original WNBA franchises. The Comets won the first four championships in the league, with renowned players such as Cynthia Cooper, Sheryl Swoopes, and Tina Thompson. The Comets' final season in the WNBA was in 2008, after the league took control of the team and ultimately decided to shut it down.

With the move, the Sun are expected to rebrand as the Comets, thus reviving one of the original WNBA franchises. This change marks a new chapter for the franchise, which will seek to build on a young and talented core.

The team intends to build its future success around promising players, seeking to strengthen its roster with draft picks. The transition to Houston and the return of the Comets name promise a new era for the franchise.